‘Shape the history of our future’

SECRETARY Jesus “JV” Hinlo Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) led the opening of the Bacolod History Photo Exhibit at the Bacolod City Government Center Lobby on Saturday, June 10.

The exhibit, showcasing 50 black and white photos that documented the development of Bacolod City through the years, is part of the 10-day celebration dubbed, "Mga Adlaw sang Paghanduraw," from June 10 to 19 that celebrates the 119th Philippine Independence Day and the Commemoration of the 79th Year of the Signing of the Charter of Bacolod.

Also gracing the event were Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Councilors Cindy Rojas and Em Ang, City Administrator John Orola, historian Modesto Sa-onoy, who discussed the rationale of the exhibit, and Mark Steven Mayo, who represented Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya.

In his address as guest of honor and speaker, Hinlo said, “We are remembering today the history of Bacolod City. Never forget history because that’s the thing that shaped us right now. We are very lucky to have a progressive city but we can do more because our city is growing in population.”

Hinlo encouraged city officials and Bacoleños to “shape the history of our future.”

He said Bacolod has a rich history, is known as home to the world-class MassKara Festival and its “chicken inasal,” and has received various recognitions like “The Philippine Top Model City.”

"Yet I ask, how would you want Bacolod City, its officials and its people, to be remembered in history? Despite the accolades that the city has achieved, we should shape the future history of our city that is free from too much politicking, poverty, an informal settlers problem, unemployment, drugs and criminality," Hinlo stressed.

“We should strive to further improve our local economy and to have urban planning to improve the lives of our residents. We dream to make our poor become middle-class. We strive to become a more progressive city,” he added.

“This is our dream and hopefully that dream would become the history of the future,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the photo exhibit will run until June 18.

Sa-onoy said they are planning to make this a traveling exhibit and may be brought to schools to educate the young people of Bacolod’s rich history.

Among the schools are the Emiliano Lizares National High School (NHS) in Barangay Granada, Sum-ag NHS, Domingo Lacson NHS, and Bacolod City NHS. (PR)